HortFlora Research Spectrum

99-106

Authors: V. Phani Deepthi and P. Narayanswamy

The present study was carried out during the period 2006-07 to characterize the elite (heavy bunch) somaclonal variants of tissue cultured ‘Grand Naine’ banana from the farmers’ fields around Bangalore by visual screening. A total of eleven elite variants were collected and compared with original ‘Grand Naine’ (control) plants. Of all the elite somaclonal variants collected and evaluated, the variant GNV-04 was found very promising. It had significantly showed higher bunch weight (59.75 kg), bunch length (2.00m), number of hands per bunch (21.01) and number of fingers per hand (20.01). The quality parameters such as TSS, reducing and total sugars were significantly higher, with moderate titratable acidity. The organoleptic evaluation tests significantly favoured the control to a certain extent, but taste and texture were better with the variant GNV-04 compared to control. To confirm the variants at DNA level, RAPD analysis was conducted to identify the difference in the banding patterns. Forty three primers were used for the analysis of which OPF-09 differentiated the variants and the normal Grand Naine bananas. A band size of 320 bp was produced in all the normal samples but was absent in the variants tested. In the present study RAPD markers were proved to be effective and precise to confirm the variants identified using molecular characters. Of the eleven superior variants analysed, variants GNV-04, GNV-08 and GNV-10 showed positive phenotypic characters which could be used in developmental programmes of Grand Naine banana.

112-119

Authors: M. K. Meena, M.C. Jain, J. Singh, M. Sharma, B. Singh and I.B. Maurya

An investigation was conducted on uniform, healthy, eight year old trees of Nagpur mandarin (Citrus reticulata Blanco) at Fruit Research Farm, Department of Fruit Science at College of Horticulture and Forestry, Jhalawar during 16 September, 2014 to 1 March, 2015. Various doses of Calcium nitrate (1.0%, 2.0% and 3.0 %), Boric acid (0.2 %, 0.4 % and 0.6 %) and Zinc sulphate (0.2 %, 0.4 % and 0.6 %) were sprayed before harvesting and compared with untreated ones. The results obtained indicated that the trees sprayed with T27 i.e. (Calcium nitrate @ 3.0 % + Boric acid @ 0.6 % + Zinc sulphate @ 0.6 %) showed maximum increase diameter of fruit, fruit weight, fruit volume, number of fruits per plant, fruit yield per plant, estimated yield per hectare, reducing sugar, non reducing sugar, total sugar, juice per cent, sensory score and reduced peel thickness over control. Further, T24 treatment combination (calcium nitrate @ 3.0 % + boric acid @ 0.4 % + Zinc sulphate @ 0.6 %) has also significantly increased number of segments per fruit, TSS, TSS: Acid ratio, ascorbic acid content, and reduced number of seeds per fruit and acidity percent of fruits.

124-128

Authors: N.N. Patil, N. K. Mishra, C. P. Singh, R. Srivastava and A. K. Singh

In order to maintain and enhance fruit quality and storability of litchi the present study was conducted at Horticultural Research Centre, GBPUA&T, Pantnagar, Uttarakhand during 2013-14 and 2014-15. Different pre-harvest sprays of nutrients and growth regulators were sprayed individually or in combination with each other, viz., calcium chloride @ 0.5%, potassium sulphate @ 0.5%, borax @ 1%, putrescine @ 40ppm, salicylic acid @ 100ppm and ascorbic acid @ 0.2% on litchi to ascertain their effect on fruit chemical characters. The analytical study of the data revealed that treatment with a combination of CaCl2+ K2S2O 4 + Borax @ 0.5 % + 0.5 % + 1.0 % had best effect on TSS (21.05 °B), titratable acidity (0.44 %), ascorbic acid (28.16 %), total sugars (15.39 %), reducing sugars (11.48 %), non-reducing sugars (3.90 %) and TSS: acid ratio (31.62).

134-140

Authors: K. B. Bhushan , Neelima Pant, Y. V. Singh and Lila Bora

Thirty six genotypes (twelve lines, two testers and twenty-four Fs 1 ) of eggplant were studied for heterosis and combining ability. The crosses PR PS and BARI PS revealed highest economic heterosis for most of the traits investigated including the yield and yield attributing characters. The crosses PR PS, BARI PS, PB 69 PS and Punjab Sadabahar PU demonstrated highly significant heterosis, over the standard cultivar, Pant Samrat. The parent PB 69 exhibited highest positive significant gca followed by PB 66 and PB 67, whereas crosses PB 69 PU, PB 60 PS, PB 68 PU, PR PS and KS 331 PS showed significant sca effects for total yield.

145-148

Authors: Kuldeep Srivastava, R. K. Patel, Amrendra Kumar, S. D. Pandey and Vishal Nath

Litchi mite is the threat to litchi growers as both nymphs and adults damage the leaves, inflorescence and young developing fruits. Therefore, keeping in view the importance of litchi mite, Aceria litchii field trial was conducted at ICAR-NRCL, Muzaffarpur to manage the pest. Experiment was laid out in RBD design with seven treatments comprised of pruning of affected twigs (July & October) and miticides (chlorfenapyr & propargite) sprayed twice in July and once in October months to evaluate the efficacy of various integrated approaches. Results revealed that initial mite infestation ranged from 97.33 to 98.80%. No mite infestation was recorded at flowering stage in pruning and removal of affected twigs followed by two spraying of chlorfenapyr 10 EC (0.03%) at 15 days interval during July and again pruning in October with one spraying of Chlorfenapyr followed by spraying of propargite 57 EC (0.17%) with 1.33% mite infestation. The higher mite infestation was noticed during August (50.00) to November (80.00) and again the population start increasing from February onwards on new shoots.

153-156

Authors: M.L. Meena, N. Kumar, J. K. Meena and T. Rai

The present investigation was carried out to find out the genetic variability, heritability and genetic advance in chilli (Capsicum annuum L.) in Central Uttar Pradesh during Rabi season. The experiment was laid out in randomized block design with three replications. Transplanting of seedlings was done at spacing of 45x60 cm. The observations were recorded on five plants per plot for days to flowering, plant height, number of branches/plant, number of fruits/plant, leaf area, pedicle length, fruit length, fruit width, days to first harvest and fruit yield per plant. The genotypes Azad Mirch-1, Sel-16 and 7919 performed better in terms of leaf area with maximum values (116.38) which succeeded by fruit yield per plant red ripe (85.40), fruit width (38.23), number of branches per plant (34.43), days to 50% flowering (32.46), days to first harvest (27.83), pedicel length (27.78), fruit yield/plant (17.73), fruit length (16.64) and plant height (12.76) for genetic advance as % of mean.

161-164

Authors: Sunita Kumari and V. M. Prasad

The present experiment was conducted to study the effect of bio and chemical fertilizers on plant vigour, flowering and yield of petunia (Petunia hybrida) var. Picotee in the Department of Horticulture, Sam Higginbottom Institute of Agriculture, Technology and Sciences, Allahabad, (U.P.) during the winter season 2014-2015. The results revealed that treatments T13 (Azotobactor + PSB +PMB + 100% doses of NPK) had significant response most of the traits studied. The maximum plant height (29.80 cm), number of leaves/plant (600.60) number of branches/plant (20.00), plant spread (54.30 cm), first flower bud emergence (53.06), diameter of flower/(8.26 cm), number of flowers/plant (76.93), weight of fresh flower (1.05g) and weight of dry flower (0.81g) were produced by the treatment T13 (Azotobactor + PSB +PMB + 100% doses of NPK).

170-172

Authors: Ashish Tyagi, Virendra Pal and Omvir Singh

Proper and prolonged humid conditions and sandy soil due to nearby land of river Ganga in Hastinapur block of Meerut district favours the cultivation of cucurbits. Thus, growing of Parwal has been proved as a best alternate to replace mono culture of sugarcane crop in the area where majority of farmers having small land holdings. Fruit fly is a serious pest not only of cucurbits but other vegetable and fruit crops also causing huge losses to farmers in Meerut district. In spite of using hazardous pesticides, farmers are bound to bear about 25 – 30 % yield loss every year due to the attack of fruit fly. Various front line demonstrations of cue lure containing pheromone traps were laid out by KVK Hastinapur, Meerut at the fields of parwal growers of the area during three consecutive years (2012 – 2014) to introduce and promote the eco friendly management technology of fruit flies by installation of 5 traps/ acre covering 30 acre area. The technology was found feasible, cheaper as well as easy to adopt at farmer’s field. An average of 23.35 per cent increased yield was observed resulting ` 27182.5 average increased income per hectare comparing with plots under farmer’s practice where traps were not installed.

175-176

Authors: Prerak Bhatnagar, Jitendra Singh and C.B. Meena

Lasoda (Cordia myxa) grows very common in tropical regions. Its tree flowers in March-April. Its unripe fruits are very much used for pickling. Ripe fruits of lasoda are rich source of minerals. Its leaves are used as for fodder. Usually Lasoda bears terminally, but sometimes bearing is noticed directly on the tree trunk, the bearing of flowers and fruits on trunk is termed as cauliflory.

7-11

Authors: Prerak Bhatnagar, J. Singh, M.C. Jain and M.K Sharma

Seasonal changes in photosynthetic characteristics, relative water content, canopy volume, leaf nutrient content in Kinnow leaves in response to integrated nutrient sources were investigated in Jhalawar district of South Eastern Rajasthan state of India during 2012-13. Interaction effect of nitrogen and vermicompost were significantly superior over other treatments in terms of better photosynthetic efficiency parameters of Kinnow mandarin plants during gestation period of 3 years age viz. photosynthesis rate, transpiration rate, stomatal conductance, photosynthetic active radiation, internal CO2 concentration, vapour pressure deficit, leaf temperature, relative humidity. Out of all treatment combinations, T15 (nitrogen @ 350 g/plant + vermicompost @ 20 kg/plant) proved significantly superior over most of treatment combinations including control in photosynthetic efficiency parameters of Kinnow mandarin plants. The photosynthetic efficiency of Kinnow mandarin plants was found maximum under T15 (6.97) treatment. The better stomatal conductance, transpiration rate, relative humidity percentage of leaves, internal CO2 concentration and leaf temperature attained optimal values at higher PAR. The application of 350 g nitrogen along with 20 kg vermicompost per plant in two split doses in Kinnow mandarin at gestation phase may improve the plant growth, developmental and photosynthetic efficiency parameters which are pre-requisite for strong framework and higher yield along with improvement in the soil health. In order to define Pn of the tree, it is necessary to consider not only photosynthetic response of the single leaf but also the overall canopy structure (leaf area index, total leaf area, leaf orientation towards radiation flux) which varies considerably according to environmental conditions. The canopy structure influences the overall Pn of the tree. Further studies on the carbon balance in relation to nutrition may contribute to growth and developmental improvement in the plants.

17-21

Authors: Sanjeev Rao, Manoj Kumar Singh, Satya Prakash, Sunil Malik, Mukesh Kumar, Mukesh Kumar and Vipin Kumar

Genetic variability and correlation coefficient were studied in fifty genotypes of bael fruit at Horticulture Reasearch Centre and laboratory of the Department of Horticulture, SVPUA&T, Meerut in two consecutive years i.e., 2013-14 and 2014-15. Data were recorded on 16 morphological and qualitative traits. Invariably commercially released cultivars viz., Pant Shivani, Pant Aparna, Pant Sujata along with genotypes VB-28 and VB-23 exhibited higher yield and yield contributing traits. High values of GCV and PCV were observed for yield per tree, fruit pulp weight, fruit weight, seed weight, number of fruits per tree, ascorbic acid, skull weight, and reducing sugar. High heritability (in broad sense) along with high estimates of genetic advance (% of mean) was observed for almost all the characters viz. yield per tree, fruit weight, fruit pulp weight, skull weight, seed weight per fruit, T.S.S., ascorbic acid and total sugar. The present study also revealed the presence of great amount of genetic variability which offers bright prospects for its improvement in near future.

28-33

Authors: P. K. Bola, S. K. Jain and A. Choudhary

A lab experiment was conducted during February-March, 2015 on strawberry (Fragaria ananassa Duch.) to study the effect of Calcium Chloride, Carboxymethyl cellulose and Chitosan on physical and chemical characters having 14 treatments treated with calcium chloride and CMC (1%, 2% and 3% each) without adding Chitosan and with Chitosan 1%. Application of Carboxymethyl cellulose 2% + Chitosan 1% to the strawberry fruits helped to maintain all the characters attributing to quality. These treatments reduced the weight loss and spoilage during storage. Under these treatments strawberry could be stored for over 12 days (fruit still reddish in colour) compared to the control which started turning turbid yellow soon after 9 days. These treatments can be used satisfactorily by the fruit growers and the fruit merchants in order to prolong the storage life of strawberry fruits up to 12 days. However, these results are only indicative and require further experimentation to arrive at more consistent and final conclusion.

39-42

Authors: Mangala Tirumalesh, Joydip Mandal and V. K. Dhangrah

Selection for early maturing and high yielding genotypes is desirable which in monoecious crops depend on expression of flowering characters. A study was undertaken to understand flowering behaviour of 27 genotypes of bottle gourd that would help to assume the conversion of flowers into fruits. The field experiment was carried out late in rainy season of 2013 at Horticulture Farm of Visva-Bharati University and observations were recorded for various flowering characters. Analysis of variance revealed highly significant differences among genotypes for node number of first male and female flower, days to first male and female flower opening, number of male flowers per vine, number of female flowers per vine and sex ratio. The values of flowering characters ranged for node number of first male flower (5.67-13.20), node number of first female flower (7.80-14.87), first male flower opening (50.30-82.00 days), first female flower opening (53.33-87.50 days), sex ratio (4.73-14.87), number of male flowers (38.30-90.17) and number of female flowers (3.00-14.70) Out of 27 genotypes, APBG-3 was identified as an early bearer genotype which produced male and female flower at earlier nodes on about 50 and 53 days after sowing, respectively. Surabhi recorded the lowest sex ratio but maximum female flowers in number were recorded with Kundan that can be expected to produce higher yields than others

48-52

Authors: Gopi Lal Mali, S.K. Moond, A. Choudhary, P. K. Bola and P. Chaudhary

A field experiment was conducted during Rabi season of 2013-14 to study the effect of planting geometry and nitrogen on growth, flowering and yield of chrysanthemum (Chrysanthemum coronarium L.) at College of Horticulture & Forestry, Jhalawar (Raj.). The experiment consisted of 16 treatment combinations of four spacings (S1- 30 cm 30 cm, S2- 30 cm 45 cm, S3- 45 cm 45 cm, S4- 45 cm 60 cm) and four nitrogen levels (N0- 0 kg, N1 - 100 kg, N2 - 150 kg, N3 - 200 kg N/ha). The treatment S N 4 3 (45 cm 60 cm spacing + N 200 kg/ha) recorded the maximum plant spread (2643.24 cm2), number of primary branches per plant (41 .90),number of leaves per plant (1013.20), leaf width (3.85 cm), leaf length (6.34 cm) and duration of flowering (64.33 days), while the treatment SN 1 3 (30 cm x 30 cm spacing + N 200 kg/ha) had the maximum plant height (92.58 cm), flower yield per plot (11.85 kg) and flower yield per ha (182.87 q). Application of nitrogen atdifferent levels and planting geometries significantly influenced the number of days taken for first flower bud appearance and 50 per cent flowering with the earliest first flower bud appearance (47.33 days) and 50 per cent flowering (64.83 days) at S1 (30 cm 30 cm spacing). Similarly nitrogen at N0 (N 0 kg/ha) had the earliest first flower bud appearance (46.75 days) and 50 per cent flowering (63.25 days), while nitrogen at N3 (200 kg/ha) had the latest first flower bud appearance (55.33 days) and 50 per cent flowering (69.42 days).

57-60

Authors: B. K. Saud, Biju Barman and Madhumita Choudhuri Talukdar

An experiment on response of hybrid orchid, Dendrobium spp., cv. ‘Sonia’ to selected micronutrients was conducted in the Experimental Farm, Department of Horticulture, Assam Agricultural University, Jorhat during 2012 to 2013. The experiment was conducted in shade net house with eight treatments each replicated thrice. Micronutrient treatments viz.,T1- Zinc 500 ppm, T2-Zinc 750 ppm, T3-Zinc 1000 ppm, T4-Manganese 200 ppm, T5-Manganese 400 ppm, T6-Boron 100 ppm and T7-Boron 200 ppm were applied as foliar spray at an interval of 15 days along with fertilizer mixture 19 All @ 2 g per liter (control) sprayed twice a week. Among the micronutrient treatments, Zinc 1000 ppm (T3) was found superior in respect of the parameters viz., pseudo bulb height (29.85), number of leaves/plant (7.08), leaf area (68.66 cm2 ), internodal length (5.26 cm), cane girth (2.43 cm), spike length (28.91 cm), number of florets/spike (4.03), flower spike yield /coco block/year (5.53), number of flowering canes / clump (2.00), duration of flowering (149.20 days), self life (52.22 days), vase life (37.00 days), total soluble sugar (107.24 mg/g DW), soluble protein (436.39 mg/g FW), net assimilation rate (0.35 mg/cm2/day) and total chlorophyll content (0.83 mg/g FW) while treatment T2(RDF + Zn 750 ppm) recorded best for days to flower bud appearance (133.37 days) and days to harvest of spike (3.47 days).

65-68

Authors: Manoj Kumar Yadav* and Ramesh Singh

Anthracnose, caused by Colletotrichum capsici, is one of the most destructive diseases of chilli which causes a chief hindrances in chilli production. Typical anthracnose symptoms on chilli fruit appear as sunken necrotic tissues with concentric rings of acervulii. To assess the incidence and severity of anthracnose disease on chilli crop, a survey was conducted in 5 chilli growing areas of Jaunpur district of Eastern Uttar Pradesh. During the survey it was observed that percentage of incidence was more in green fruit and leaves than older parts.

72-74

Authors: Sk. Md. Azizur Rahman, Kuldeep Srivastava , Vinod Kumar and Gajendra Singh

Studies were conducted to study the field efficacy of insectides, botanicals and entomopathogenic fungi for the control of shoot gall psylla, Apsylla cistellata Buck and subsequently their effect on fruit set and fruit yield of mango. Maximum per cent embryo mortality and minimum number of galls/twig and nymphs/gall were recorded in monocrotophos followed by quinalphos whereas minimum per cent embryo mortality and maximum number of galls/twig and nymphs/gall were observed in nimbicidine, neem seed kernel extract, Baeauveria bassiana and control. Maximum fruited shoot, fruits harvested and fruit yield were recorded in monocrotophos and quinalphos whereas about zero fruit yield was recorded in nimbicidine, neem seed kernel extract, B. bassiana and control.

78-80

Authors: Sk. Md. Azizur Rahman, Kuldeep Srivastava, Ramesh Kumar and Gajendra Singh

Loss assessment study by hopper on shoots showed that per cent leaf infestation per shoot increased significantly with the increase in hopper population. Maximum infestation (91.47%) occurred on shoots having 20 hoppers per shoot, whereas those with 10 and 15 hoppers per shoot suffered more or less 50 per cent infestation. Number of hopper eggs per leaf also varied significantly with the increase in hopper population. Maximum eggs (15.40 per leaf) were recorded on leaves where 20 hoppers per shoot were released. Per cent increase in shoot length was also affected significantly with the increase in hopper population. It was minimum (4.88) where 20 hoppers per shoot were released. However, the shoots with 0 and 5 as well as 10 and 15 hoppers per panicle were also at par. Per cent reduction in fruit set was maximum (95) on panicles where 20 hoppers per panicle were released. However no significant differences were observed on panicles where hoper populations were 10, 15 and 20. Per cent fruit drop was maximum (81.25) where, 30, 35 and 40 hoppers per panicle were released and minimum (8.81) where no hopper was released. Percent reduction in fruits weight per panicle was maximum (84.58) where 40 hoppers per panicle were released and minimum (14.60%) with 5 hoppers per panicle.

84-85

Authors: A.C. Rathore and A. K. Pal

Bagging in different fruit crops is beneficial because it improves appearance of fruit along with quality. A trial was conducted on 15 year young mango (cv. Mallika) orchard grown on degraded lands during 2014-015. The three different types of paper bags (Plastic bag, Blue paper, News paper) with control (Without bagging) were used for bagging of fruits after fruit formation (pre-harvest bagging) each with 100 no. of fruits for assessing incidence of insect, disease, fruit cracking and fruit blackening. Blue paper bagged fruits were recorded maximum improvement in fruit appearance like least insect-pest and disease attack in the fruit over un bagged fruits in Malika mango. Similarly, minimum fruit cracking and blackening was recorded in bagged treatment over unbagged treatment. Hence, fruit bagging in mango with blue paper bag is recommended for commercial use to the growers to escape attack of insect- pests and diseases, fruit cracking, and blackening.

192-199

Authors: B. P. Gupta, M.K. Singh*, Mukesh Kumar, S. Malik, Satya Prakash, K.V. Singh and Sanjeev Rao

An attempt was made during 2011 to study the effect of different physico-chemical treatments on ripening behaviour and post-harvest quality of Dashehari mango with a view to improve storage quality and shelf-life of mango fruits. The experiment was designed under completely randomized design (CRD). Out of ten treatments applied the fruits treated with ethrel 750 ppm had significantly better fruit quality over other treatments in respect of physical parameters i.e., fruit skin colour, flavour/aroma, organoleptic taste, marketability, fruit firmness, specific gravity (0.87), moisture loss (12.54%), decay (3.11 %), total soluble solids (20.40Brix), sugar content (14.69%), acidity content (0.16%) and sugar/acid ratio (91.81) followed by Ethrel 500 ppm {specific gravity (0.86), moisture loss (13.25%), decay (4.20 %), total soluble solids (TSS, 18.10Brix), sugar content (14.61%), acidity content (0.18%) and sugar/acid ratio (81.16)}. The post-harvest treatment i.e., pedicellate fruits with ethrel + bavistin (750+1000 ppm) was found to be next best over other treatments in respect of specific gravity (0.86 and 0.83), moisture loss (14.08% and 14.02%), decay (4.80 % and 4.99%), total soluble solids (19.20Brix and 19.00Brix), sugar content (13.59% and 13.89%), acidity content (0.19% and 0.18%) and sugar/acid ratio (71.84 and 81.70). Based on results obtained from the present study, it can be concluded that ethrel 750 ppm was found to be best post-harvest treatment on account of physical and chemical parameters of Dashehari mango.

204-208

Authors: Prerak Bhatnagar and J. Singh

Response of custard apple cv. “Arka Sahan” plants to integrated nutrient management was carried out at Fruit Research Farm, Department of Fruit Science, College of Horticulture and Forestry, Jhalawar, India during the year 2010-11. Results indicated that different treatments of integrated nutrient sources influenced the growth and development characteristics viz. plant height, number of leaves/plant, number of primary branches/plant, rootstock girth, scion girth, East-West and North-South spread of custard apple cv. Arka Sahan during gestation period. The studies clearly revealed that treatment comprising vermicompost in combination with 50% recommended dose of fertiliz er (RDF) and biofertilizers attained significantly higher plant height, rootstock girth, scion girth, plant spread (E-W and N-S), leaf area and soil NPK content over other treatments including control. This treatment combination also resulted in significantly better impact with respect to higher vegetative growth parameters over other treatments including the control. The application of vermicompost along with 50 % N through RDF and biofertilizers provided better nutrition as it contained all the macro and micro nutrients required for growth and development of plants. It also improved physicochemical properties of soil around the treated plants by reducing pH and EC, improving water holding capacity and enriching the organic carbon and the N, P, K status of the soil over other treatments.

214-219

Authors: Sunil Kumar, Baggio Ch. Momin and Niki Dewa

A study on response of nutrition on growth and flowering of Dendrobium orchids under low cost poly house at Instructional farm, Department of Floriculture, College of Horticulture & Forestry, Pasighat, Arunachal Pradesh was conducted during April 2011 to March 2012. Three levels of nutrient mixtures (NPK 19:19:19) viz. 2g/l, 4g/l and 8g/l with commercial micronutrient mixture at 0.2 per cent and four varieties namely, TSG, Sonia, Thongchai Gold and Singapore White were selected for their evaluation. Significant response of nutrition, varieties and their interaction was observed. Cultivar Singapore White showed maximum plant height (65.09cm), number of leaves per cane (10.40), leaf length (19.75cm), cane girth (16.68mm) and minimum internodal space (4.82cm), while, highest number of canes per clump (6.93) and leaf width (6.19cm) was observed with cultivars Sonia and TSG, respectively. Earliness in flowering (93.45 days), increased flower diameter (8.12cm), number of florets per spike (13.57), number of spikes per plant per year (3.24) and fresh weight of spikes (34.07g) was associated with cultivar Sonia. However, cultivar TSG showed increased spike length (45.65cm) and rachis length (30.81cm). Higher dose of nutrition (8g/l) enhanced growth and flowering characters of all varieties as compared to lower dose. In interaction, significant response was noticed with higher dose of nutrition in cultivar Sonia, TSG and Singapore White, respectively

224-229

Authors: Baggio Ch. Momin, Sunil Kumar, Kalkame Ch. Momin and Niki Dewan

Evaluation of gladiolus cultivars to identify the suitable variety for successful cultivation, flower and corm production under agro-climatic condition of Tura, West Garo Hills district was performed. Twenty two varieties namely, The Queen, Red Majesty, Applause, Charm Glow, Candyman, Interpid, Eight Wonder, Pacifica, Tiger Flame, Souvenir, American Beauty, Oscar, White Prosperity, Wedding Bouquet, Poppy Tears, Morocco Beauty, Summer Sunshine, Wing Wang Sang, Her Majesty, Green Bay, Priscilla and Red Ginger were selected for their evaluation. Uniform size of gladiolus corms (3.00-4.00 cm diameter) were planted on raised bed following randomized block design with three replications. Uniform package of practices were followed throughout the experiment to grow a healthy crop. Significant response in vegetative, flowering and corm characters was observed in cultivar Candyman followed by Interpid, Eight Wonder, Priscilla, Charm Glow and Wedding Bouquet. Sprouting of corms was advanced in cultivar Interpid (6.67 days) and delayed in cultivar Wedding Bouquet (29.00 days). Highest plant height (97.13cm),number of leaves per plant (9.80) and length of leaf (65.47cm) in cultivar Candyman, while, breadth of leaf (5.27cm) in Wing Wang Sang was recorded. However, earliness in spike emergence (68.58 days) and days to first floret opening (77.53 days) in Eight Wonder, maximum spike length (109.77cm) and rachis length (65.50cm) in Candyman, florets per spike (15.13) in Wedding Bouquet and spike girth (0.90cm) in Priscilla were observed. Enhanced Field life (14.10 days) and vase-life of cut gladiolus flowers under tap water (11.73 days) was observed in cultivar Charm Glow. Whereas, maximum corm weight (93.00g) was noticed with cultivar Candyman followed by American Beauty (75.43g) and Interpid (69.73g).

236-240

Authors: Supriya S. Gholap and N. D. Polara

An experiment was conducted to study the effects of different growing media and storage of stone on mango seedling during 2012-13. Different media mixtures and storage of stones showed significant effect on morphological characters of rootstock. The highest stone germination (74.26 %), stem diameter (6.15 mm), length (27.19 cm) and girth (5.21 mm) of tap root and vigour index (4719.34) was recorded in M3 (soil + FYM + leaf mould in 1:1:1 proportion) media whereas, stone sown immediately after extraction from fully ripe mango fruit showed the maximum stone germination (94.63 %), stem diameter (6.99 mm), length (31.74 cm) and girth (6.21 mm) of tap root and vigour index (7373.68). However, the treatment M S 3 0containing mixture of soil + FYM + leaf mould with freshly extracted mango stone from ripe fruits recorded the least time to germination (22.80 days) and maximum plant height (46.60 cm), number of leaves per seedling (18.03), fresh weight of shoot (22.33 g) and root (18.50 g), dry weight of shoot (17.43 g) and root (12.10 g) accumulation.

245-249

Authors: H. M. Singh, Uma Shankar Mishra and A. Prasad

Dahlia is an important bulbous flower crop which has position to increase economic earnings of growers. Forty varieties were grown and studied for genotypic correlation of 16 traits at C.S. Azad University of Agriculture and Technology, Kanpur during 2011-12 and 2012-13. Vegetative and reproductive characters were found to have considerable relationship which also indicated the scope for making improvement in dahlia. Plant height and maximum number of flower per head revealed the sustainable magnitude for crop improvement in dahlia crop.

255-259

Authors: Rekha Jakhar, S.S. Gaurav and K.K. Singh

Sixteen germplasm accessions belonging Ocinum (nine Ocimum basilicum and seven Ocimum sanctum) were subjected to Random Amplified Polymorphic DNA (RAPD) analysis in relation to morphometric parameters for estimating the extent of diversity within and between species. Morphological evaluation of the 16 accessions for selected characters showed qualitative variation among the accessions studied. The RAPD analysis revealed comparable inter and intra species variation. A total of 144 bands amplified, 90.79% was polymorphic and 9.02% was unique to a particular accession which made it distinct from all other accessions. Maximum similarity (0.71) was measured between accession IC-369247 and IC-201233 and least similarity (0.34) was measured in IC-387837 and EC-388896. The RAPD profiles would be useful in genetic improvement and authentication of species and genotypes of this medicinally and economically important genus.

264-267

Authors: Surya Narayan

Results of the field experiment revealed that vigour of marigold plant was significantly increased due to foliar application of NAA and microelements. The production and size of floral heads were also improved significantly by the NAA and microelement treatments. The spray of 100 ppm NAA at 15 days after transplanting and 0.50% ZnSO4 at 30 days after transplanting proved significantly effective for yield and floriferousness of marigold cv Pusa Basanti. Minimum plant height was observed in control while the maximum height was recorded by NAA100ppm.Values were in between with the borax treatment. Parameters viz., diameter of main stem, spread of plant along the row, spread of plant across the row, number of primary branches/plant, length of the longest primary branch, number of secondary branches on the highest primary branch, number of leaves on highest primary branch and fresh weight of plant canopy were found to be influenced significantly with treatments and followed same pattern as in case of plant height. It seems that auxins have great potential to determine plant orientation, flower bud differentiation and economic production.

273-276

Authors: Joginder Singh and Rashmi Nigam

An experiment was conducted to investigate the effect of PGRs and inorganic fertilizers on vegetative growth and flowering behaviour in chrysanthemum cv. Birbal Sahni and Julia during 2012-13 at Horticulture Research Farm, J V College, Baraut, Baghpat (UP). The three levels of each of GA3 (100, 200 and 250 ppm) and Cycocel (1000, 3000 and 5000 ppm) and three levels of inorganic fertilizers (F1 :100 kg N2 + 60 kg P O 2 5 + 40 kg K O 2 /ha; F2:150 kg N2 +120 kg P O 2 5 + 80 kg K O 2 /ha; and F3 : 200 kg N2 + 180 kg P O 2 5 + 120 kg K O 2 /ha) were applied. All the treatments appreciably improved the vegetative growth and flowering attributes of chrysanthemum. Maximum plant height, plant spread, diameter of main stem, number of branches/plant, number of leaves/plant and flowering parameters such as days taken to first flower bud appearance, days taken to flowering, flower size, flower weight/plant and number of flowers/plant were recorded at 150 ppm level of GA3 and 3000 ppm level of CCC. The inorganic fertilizers also significantly affected the above characters of chrysanthemum.

282-284

Authors: G. C. Van der Puije, F.K. Ackah and E. Moses

Studies on the prevalence of leaf blight disease in taro were conducted in the Aowin Suaman District of Ghana. The studies comprised a survey to assess the incidence and severity of the taro leaf blight disease in ten communities in the district in two seasons. It was observed that there was a high incidence (an average of 99% in wet season and 92% in dry season) of the disease in the district and was present in all the surveyed communities. But the disease was not too severe during the period of study (8-25% damaged in both wet and dry season) though there was a significant difference (P< 0.05) between the severity in the dry and wet season in the communities.

288-290

Authors: Joydip Mandal, Arun Sharma and Subrata Mandal

An experiment was conducted at the Horticulture Farm of Institute of Agriculture, Sriniketan (West Bengal) to find out the effect of different levels of organic and inorganic nutrients on growth of onion during Kharif, 2014. Seven treatment combinations (FYM, Mustard cake and NPK) were arranged in complete randomized block design with three replications. The data on plant height, number of leaves /plant, leaf length, leaf diameter, neck length and neck diameter were recorded at 30, 60, 90 and 120 days after transplanting. Different combinations of organic and inorganic nutrients had significant influence on different growth attributes. Treatment combination of 20 t/ha FYM + State recommended NPK (125-100-100 kg/ha) was performed better than others in all the growth parameters, except neck length.

97-101

Authors: Pankaj Kumar, Rajdev Panwar, P.S. Kashyap and Devendra Kumar

Stephens-Stewart model (SSM), and Griffith’s model (GM) were used to estimate the weekly pan evaporation (EPW) at Pantnagar, located at the foothills of Himalayas in the Uttarakhand state of India. Weekly meteorological data of maximum and minimum air temperatures, relative humidity in the morning (7 AM) and afternoon (2 PM), wind speed, sunshine hours and pan evaporation from January 2004 to December 2007 were used. The best combination of input variables models were decided using the Gamma Test (GT). The estimated values of EPW by the Stephens-Stewart and Griffith’s model were compared with observed values of EPW based on statistical indices such as root mean squared error (RMSE), coefficient of efficiency (CE) and correlation coefficient (r).

108-115

Authors: L. B. Basavaraj, D. G. Vilas and R. Vijayakumar

The present investigation was conducted to elucidate the genetic characters viz. variability, heritability and correlation between yield and yield components of different tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) genotypes. Thirty genotypes including released varieties, land races and germplasms were used in this investigation for assessment of quality, yield and yield components. The experiment was conducted during summer, 2012-13 at field of Department Vegetable Science, KRC College of Horticulture, Arabhavi, Karnataka. The study revealed that high heritability coupled with high genetic advance over per cent mean were noticed for number of clusters per plant, number of branches per plant, number of locules per fruit, average fruit weight, equatorial and polar diameter of fruit, lycopene content and fruit firmness, which might be assigned to additive gene effect, selection for such characters gives more importance in crop improvement of tomato. The phenotypic coefficient of variation (PCV) were higher with smaller magnitude than genotypic coefficient of variation (GCV), indicating the apparent variation is not only due to genotypic but also due to influence of environmental factors. The character association analysis indicated that fruit yield were significantly and positively correlated with fruit yield per plant (0.81), number of fruits per plant (0.65) and average fruit weight (0.45), whereas, number of fruits per cluster (-0.15), TSS (-0.04), polar diameter (-0.34) and equatorial diameter (-0.30) were negatively correlated with total yield.

123-128

Authors: S. P. Prajna, V .D. Gasti and Shashikanth Evoor

Forty five okra genotypes were evaluated in randomized complete block design with two replications. Twenty morphological characters were measured on randomly selected plants for the analysis of correlation and path analysis. Fruit yield per plant showed highly significant and positive correlation with fruit yield per plot and fruit yield per hectare. Fruit yield per plant showed highly significant negative correlation with average fruit weight. Fruit yield per plant showed indirect positive effect via plant height at 45 days after sowing (DAS) and internodal length at 90 DAS. Fruit yield per plant showed significant and negative indirect effect via number of fruits per plant and number of leaves per plant at 45 DAS.

135-138

Authors: Subhendu S. Gantait and Suresh Mahato

Investigation was carried out to standardize the suitable embedding media and drying duration for dehydration of gerbera (Gerbera jamesonii Bolus ex. Hooker F) flowers. Fully opened flowers were embedded in four drying media (Coarse Silica Gel, Fine Silica Gel, Coarse Sand and Fine Sand) and dried in four drying durations (12 hours, 18 hours, 24 hours and 30 hours) at constant drying temperature (45C) in hot air oven. Dried samples were given subjective scores on average 10 points scale with reference to ornamental values comparable to fresh samples on the basis of colour, texture and shape. Among different drying media, the decrease in weight of gerbera flower was highest (67.15 %) by embedding in Fine Silica Gel (FSG) in hot air oven for 30 hours. Effect of drying on colour (8.35), texture (8.00) and shape (8.00) were recorded highest score in hot air oven drying when embedded in Fine Silica Gel. In regardless of all the parameters, the flowers dehydrated by embedding in Fine Silica Gel for 12 hours in hot air oven at 45C were found to be of best quality.

144-149

Authors: Shravan Kumar and J. P. Singh

The investigations were carried out with an objective to assess the effect of plant geometry and nutrition on the growth attributes of Okra [Abelmoschus esculentus (L.) Moench] at the Department of Horticulture, C.S.A.U.A. & T., Kanpur during rainy season of two consecutive years. The experiment comprised of four levels of nitrogen (0,60, 90 and 120 Kg ha1), three levels of phosphorus (0,60 and 90 Kg ha1) and two levels of plant spacing (30 x 40 and 40 x 40 cm) in Factorial Randomized Block Design with three replications Application of 120 kg nitrogen ha1 caused to produce highest plant height (118.73 and 127.26 cm), number of leaves/plant (16.64 and 17.98), diameter of main shoot (2.38 and 2.46 cm), number of nodes per plant (14.88 and 16.79), fresh weight per plant (153.47 and 155.80 g), and dry matter percentage (22.71 and 17.83%), whereas 90 Kg N ha1 revealed highest leaf area per plant (784.13 and 795.12 cm2 ) and control (N ) 0 showed maximum dry weight percentage (24.09 and 19.65%) during both years of trials. Phosphorus @ 90 kg ha1 showed highest plant height (112.93 and 117.94 cm), number of green leaves per plant (13.12 and 14.40), number of nodes per plant (12.22 and 14.05), diameters of main shoot (1.93 and 2.02 cm), leaf area (784.85 and 795.43 cm2) and fresh weight per plant (149.55 and 151.51 g), but highest dry matter percentage 27.79% and 18.65% were found in 0 kg phosphorus ha1 in first year and 60 kg phosphorus ha1 during second year of investigation. 40 x 40 cm spacing caused to show highest plant height (112.39 and 117.33 cm), number of green leaves (12.27 and 13.36), number of nodes per plant (11.48 and 13.40), diameter of main shoot (1.91 and 1.98 cm), leaf area per plant (753.37 and 764.72 cm2 ), fresh weight per plant (145.19 and 147.36 g) and dry matter percentage (24.99 and 18.44%) during both the years.

155-158

Authors: Umesh Acharya, K. Venkatesan , T. Saraswathi and K. S. Subramanian

The field experiment was carried out in the College Orchard, Horticultural College and Research Institute, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu during 2013 - 2014 to study the effect of zinc and boron on seedling transplanting of multiplier onion CO(On)5 at different levels of both foliar and basal application. The eleven treatments consisted of different combination of the soil and foliar application of zinc sulphate as zinc source and borax as boron source replicated thrice in a randomized block design. The foliar spray was given 30 and 45 days after transplanting for both zinc sulphate and borax. Nitrogen, Phosphorus, Potassium, and Sulphur were applied @ 90-60-60-20 kg ha1, respectively as basal dose. Results were found to be significant in most of the physiological and yield contributing parameters of multiplier onion. The total chlorophyll content (1.38 mg 100 g1), total dry matter production (5.31 t ha1) and bulb yield per hectare (16.9 t ha1) were highest in zinc sulphate by 0.5% foliar spray. The highest benefit : cost ratio (2.08) was recorded in T3 (zinc sulphate foliar spray @ 0.5 % at 30 and 45 DAT).

164-167

Authors: V. Singh, K.H. Naseeruddin Shah and D.K. Rana

The study was conducted at Horticultural Research Centre, H.N.B. Garhwal University, Srinagar-Garhwal, Uttarakhand, during rabi season 2013-14 to evaluate the performance of 12 genotypes of pea for quantitative and qualitative traits under valley condition of Garhwal Himalayan region. Among 13 quantitative and qualitative characters studied, maximum plant height was observed in Rachana (168.2 cm) followed by DMR-70 (156.53 cm). Earliest appearance of first flower was observed in DDR-25 (54.66 days) followed by P-1544 (56.33). The earliest green pod harvest (112.66 days) was observed in DMR-70. Maximum length of pod was recorded in P-1544 (10.19cm), maximum number of pods per plant (56.86) was recorded in Rachana, maximum pod yield (147.43 g/plant) was noted in PSM-32, 100 seed weight was maximum (20.22g) in DDR-62, maximum shelling percentage was recorded in DDR-62 (52.04%), and maximum protein content (9.76%) was recorded in Pusa Pragati .

172-175

Authors: Kiran Yadav

Agricultural crops and food products have several unique characteristics, which set them apart from engineering materials, and these properties determine the quality of the fruit. In addition, the determination of physical properties of agricultural materials is important to design machines and processes for harvesting, handling and storage of these materials and requires understanding for converting these materials into food and feed. The calculations revealed that 100kg seeds extract 14 litres oil with the help of seed breaker as well as oil expeller. It is also compiled that total expenditure by including packaging cost and label cost from 100 kg seed worth Rs. 2014/-. During the survey it was observed that wild apricot fruits grown in Tehri district at various altitudes may help the local people to select important and good set of genotypes with better fruit quality performances for growing at orchard area under modern cultural practices.

179-181

Authors: H. P. Bhagya, Y. C. Raveendra and K. A. Lalithya

The growth and development of aromatic plants, containing essential oil, may be influenced by many factors like genetic, climatic factors and agronomic practices. Among the different management practices, growth regulators influence the essential oil content in the aromatic crops. Most of the growth regulators like gibberellins, brassinolides, kinetins, NAA and CCC are most effective in improving quality of aromatic crops. Use of appropriate growth regulators at optimum concentration and right stage of the crop growth can increase the herbage and essential oil yield of aromatic crops.

184

Authors: Anil Kumar Singh

Bihar State Varietal Release Committee (SVRC) recommended for release of first ever faba bean variety ‘ Swarna Suraksha’ for its cultivation in across the state covering all agro-climatic zones. ICAR Research Complex for Eastern Region, Patna developed this faba bean variety. The newly developed variety ‘Swarna Suraksha’ is nutritionally superior over existing cultivar (s) and national check. It contains very less amount of anti-nutritional factor like tannin and phytate a major hurdle in the cultivation of such an excellent crop.